anas August 31, 2009 4 comments full post »

Shahid Masood does it – AGAIN!

Just when Mian Nawaz Sharif found himself trapped in his negligence of 1992 operations, and also his failure to stop them, and had seemingly no one to support his case other than his part members, someone from the media elite has come to his rescue. Yes, once again its Dr. Shahid Masood! When everyone, including myself, was ridiculing Brig. (r) Imtiaz for coming clean too late, the Doctor Sahib brought another army retired to disprove Brig. Imtiaz. What on earth is happening? Now, this attempt by Shahid Masood to save Sharif is a clear indication of where his interest lies. Shahid Masood raised suspicions about Brig. Imtiaz which is fair enough but bringning another retired armyman to his program, who has never spoken before, reeks much more suspicions and likely a case of heavy payments to appear on HIS show. This once again reminds me of Gulzar Kiyani episode, incidentally brought to limelight by this very doctor.

But Shahid Masood loves Nawaz Sharif, and hates Musharraf as well so the next day in his program he brought Lt. Gen. (r) Tariq Pervez, TP, who has never spoken to the media before as well. He also came to ridicule Musharraf and blame him squarely for Kargil. May I ask, honourable doctor, what exactly is the point of bringing TP? Why has TP suddenly decided to come clean and why isn't he suspicious just as much as Brig. Imtiaz?

I've found a trend in Shahid Masood's program lately, and I have been watching it just to solidy my belief that he is indeed in some sort of pursuit. All his programs being with a story of how the present setup can end, obviously, paving way for PML-N. A real nice way of strengthening democracy there!

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anas August 18, 2008 12 comments full post »

Pervez Musharraf MUST Be Tried

Now that the man being alleged for all the wrongdoings in the world has finally yielded in, it is imperative upon the supreme institutions of the country to demand his accountability. The government, in no way, must provide indemnity to the man they were about to impeach on charges of gross misconduct. It is heartening to see that the former president is staying in Pakistan (for now) unlike some of the others who opted to live in royal luxury of oil-rich lands.

Should Musharraf be tried? Yes! Doodh ka doodh aur pani ka pani hona chahiye. Let all the people know what the charges against him were, and if at all they were true or not. Musharraf has said that “no charge-sheet can stand against me.” So let this be decided in a court of law. The man allegedly responsible for the killing of a myriad people shouldn’t be let off the hook, if at all he is responsible!

All his policies, that are allegedly wrong, including the operation in tribal areas must be immediately checked. A politician (who has had a hair transplant) said on a number of occasions that he will release Dr. A.Q.Khan and make him the president. But after winning, he is almost tight-lipped about the issue. In fact, Pervez Musharraf was also being held responsible for the detainment and disgrace of AQ Khan (even by the media). Since he has deserted the Presidency now why is the scientist still in house arrest? Let the truth come out there as well.

The achievements of his past nine year tenure that Musharraf proudly mentioned should be looked at and the nation be told whether that is true or false.

All the educational policies, the phD programs, higher education claims must be assessed and nation be told whether or not this was revolutionary (which I believe it was).

If he really was a villain as being portrayed by some paid media, then the struggle shouldn’t end here abruptly.

Those who claim to have fought so hard and long for the rule of law and independence of judiciary shouldn’t look to avoid a trial for Musharraf. It’s time for a fair trial, otherwise the intention of the coalition will always reek personal goals, preferences and agendas.

Will Musharraf be tried? I leave it for an open debate.

anas August 13, 2008 9 comments full post »

Musharraf's Options

The Presidential camp is busy preparing strategies to counter the Zardari-Nawaz onslaught on Pervez Musharraf. I’m sure the legal brains like Shareef Pirzada, Abdulhafeez Pirzada, Malik Qayyum and maybe some more are working on how to kill the impeachment motion with the help of the Constitution itself while other aides, and Musharraf himself, will be closely looking at the pros and cons of different legal and political strategies. Here are some of the options that I could come up with, I’m sure they’ve many more on their list of possibilities.

1) Resign and accept defeat. There can be no such thing as resignation in the “wide interest of the nation.”

2) Use the court the disqualify Shahbaz Sharif as CM.

3) Get hold of about 10 PPP members in Sindh and turn the tide against the provincial government.

4) Rescind the NRO.

5) Use the powers of 58-2(b).

6) Fight the impeachment motion taking advantage of the fact that most of the charges that have appeared so far are not sufficient to impeach him. This may also include using the Supreme Court to his advantage and the fact that Oct. 12 and Nov. 3 actions were done by the COAS and not the President (interesting!!). Also the fact that most of the allegations in the charge sheet so far relate to the previous presidential tenure. It may be interesting to find out whether those stand valid or not (legal position??).

7) Buy votes and win the impeachment motion.

anas August 12, 2008 3 comments full post »

Big Mouths!

Even an unborned child in Pakistan knows the fame attached with the name of Asif Ali Zardari. He has been certified by most eminent historians and analysts as one of the most important factors for the fall of his wife’s government. Most of the corruption charges during the two tenures involved Zardari. Not only Asif, but his father, Hakim Ali Zardari has been famously notorious for a long time and had been convicted on numerous occasions. The title of Mr. 10% and more-than-rumors of his involvement in the murder of Mir Murtaza Bhutto and now even in that of Benazir Bhutto are well known across the country. Describing Asif Ali Zardari in one word is a tough ask. Is Zardari a politician or a criminal? The latter is by far the more popularly accurate description. The tags of drug trafficking, BMW cars, murder, Switzerland accounts and money laundering are all different aspects of this character.

The question is whether the words of such a person is credible enough? Should the nation believe in what is said by the man who has been washed off his sins by a controversial ordinance (which BTW, was issued legitimised BECAUSE of the Nov. 3 emergency)? Are we really ready to have Zardari as the next president???

Can we forgive Zardari just because he can say (without proof) that Musharraf has misused the US aid?

On the other hand, the calls for a trial and jailing of Musharraf by Nawaz Sharif also deems an explication in detail. How can a person who couldn’t stand to live in the jail for a few days, after being convicted by the court in the airplane conspiracy case, say that someone else should be jailed? Nawaz used all his influence to get out of Pakistan and live in a royal exile and this is historical fact now verified by all parties involved in the agreement. Why doesn’t the same logic of exile apply to any other Pakistani (including Musharraf)? Does the years of exile in Saudi Arabia exonerate Sharif of his heinous political sins and acts?

I would like to see Musharraf going to trial and the case dealt with impartially but never at the call and wish of corrupt morons like Zardari and Sharif.

anas August 6, 2008 3 comments full post »

Is PPP Buying Musharraf's Ouster From USA?

What seemed as a completely futile and unnecessary visit to Washington by the PM Gilani may just have been an attempt to persuade the US authorities that the PPP is willing to extend the same support (and more) to the US in case they agree on Musharraf’s removal from the top slot. A news appeared in Daily Jang last month that Zardari asked Nawaz to accompany him to US with the PM in a bid to talk to the US authorities on these lines. Sharif wasn’t interested in such a visit and Zardari also took a wise decision by holding back. What else could have been discussed on such a failed visit??

Theoretically, the US doesn’t want Musharraf or anyone in particular. They will be glad as long as those in power are fulfilling their job. So to get the nod from Washington the PPP needs to prove that they are as worthy partners as was/is Musharraf.

Putting together other pieces of this puzzle, the notification to put ISI under Interior Ministry could just have been an indication to the US of the extent the People’s Party is ready to go with their support for US. The heavy warfare in Swat just adds to their portfolio.

Assuming all above is true, then the timing of the meeting that took place yesterday also means that they were indeed waiting for a message from Washington before taking a clear stance on the President. All this means that the PPP is willing to do anything to prove their worth to the US and in return get a nod for Musharraf’s ouster. Whether or not they’ve bagged the trade deal is yet to be seen.